Estonia

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Estonia is a country in Eastern Europe located on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.

It borders on Russia to the east and Latvia to the south. A Socialist Republic in the former USSR, it proclaimed itself a free nation in March 1990. It declared independence on August 20, 1991 during the attempted coup in Moscow against the Gorbachev regime. The Soviet Union recognized its independence in September 1991. Its revolution is known as “the singing revolution,” since the initial rebellion was expressed by the singing of national anthems forbidden by the Soviet regime.

The total area of Estonia is 45,226 square kilometers — slightly smaller than the states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined.

The land which is now Estonia has been inhabited since 7000 BC, by the descendants of Estonians since 3000 BC. It was ruled by foreign powers from the 13th to the 20th century, but has maintained its cultural identity.

The form of government is a republic, and the capital city is Talinn.

The total population is 1,299,371 (July, 2009 est.) . The ethnic composition is Estonian (65 per cent), Russian (8 per cent), and other, which are Ukranians, Belorussians, and Finns. The principal languages are Estonian (the official language) and Russian. There are two predominant religions, Evangelican Lutheran and Russian Orthodox.

Culturally and historically, the Estonians identify with the other nations bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, which are Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

Shipbuilding is the largest industry, followed by machinery and cement. Agriculture is also important.

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